Memorials, 0118 ALBJ, 79 The Alabama Lawyer 50 (2018)
| Position | Vol. 79 1 Pg. 50 |
▲ William Lowe Chenault, III
▲ Gloria Jean Darby
▲ James C. Ingram, Jr.
William Lowe Chenault, III
William (Billy) Lowe Chenault, III passed away on August 30 in his hometown of Decatur. He was born May 5,1950 and grew up in Decatur. After graduating from Decatur High School in 1968, he matriculated to the University of Alabama, graduating with a B.S. degree in 1971 and a juris doctor degree in 1974. From the time he entered the university, his plan was to go to law school and return to Decatur to practice with his father, who had been a sole practitioner there since 1949. To that end, he went straight through undergraduate and law school, attending every summer session. He returned to Decatur in 1974 and joined his father in the general practice of law until his father passed away in 1982.
He was president of Chenault Hammond PC, a member of the Alabama State Bar, a past president of the Morgan County Bar Association and a member of the Rotary Club of Decatur. For many years, he was a faithful member of First Bible Church in Decatur and attended a weekly men's Bible study.
Billy is survived by his wife of 47 years, Janet Graham Chenault. They have three children-daughter Jennifer Chenault Barrett and her husband, Shannon, of Suwanee, Georgia; son William Lowe Chenault, IV and his wife, Amanda, of Jackson, Tennessee; and son Paul Graham Chenault of Montevallo. They have eight grandchildren.
I was fortunate to know Billy since high school. During law school, he and Janet became our closest friends. My wife and I were present at the birth of their first child, Jennifer, and we are the godparents of his youngest child, Paul. After practicing outside of Alabama for five years, I joined Billy and his father in 1979 and practiced with him for 38 years. I cannot remember a time during that period that we argued.
His personality was one of kindness and respect for others, with an unshakeable faith in God, and he had a self-deprecating sense of humor that was endearing and beyond amusing. He practiced law with a reasoned and thorough approach, always with respect for his adversaries and dedication to his clients. I would venture to say that Billy did not have an enemy in this world, and I have frequently told people that he was one of the finest men I have ever known. He will be missed, and the legal profession in Morgan County will mourn his loss for a long time.
—Steve Hammond...
To continue reading
Request your trial